Live Like the Lord of the Realm at Marugame Castle

Luxury accommodation and cultural immersion is yours at this centuries-old fortress

The impressive stone walls of Marugame Castle and its keep sit high on a bluff overlooking the city of Marugame and the Inland Sea beyond. Built in the seventeenth century, it is one of only 12 Japanese castles whose wooden keeps have survived intact from the Edo period (1603–1867), and the only one of those to offer overnight stays. 

The city’s tourist association is offering you a chance to luxuriate in the style of the local lords of so many years ago. You can experience the best features of castle life in one immersive, overnight itinerary. The schedule begins with a rickshaw journey from the local station to the castle. Check-in includes a tour of the castle, which is followed by a traditional drum performance, and a climb to the keep itself. 
 

Luxurious sleeping and dining facilities are located in an adjoining area, where you’ll be served with the finest local cuisine based on dishes enjoyed by the ruling clan of this area. Dinner is followed by drinks and music in the castle keep, until you’re ready to slip into the sleep of the daimyo rulers.

After a breakfast in the clan’s garden in the city, you’ll spend the day immersed in local cultural activities, from crafting paper fans to enjoying a tea ceremony, until it is time to check out. The basic package is a 2-day, 1-night visit, but you can also choose a 3-day, 2-night plan. For the longer plan, adding an activity from the optional experience program is recommended.

Access: From Shin-Osaka Station, take the Shinkansen bullet train to Okayama Station (50 minutes), and from there, take the Dosan Line train to Marugame Station (40 minutes).  From Takamatsu Airport, take the bus (one hour 15 minutes) to Marugame Station. Pickup is at Marugame Station.
 

Marugame Castle Experience（Marugame Tourism Association）